January 26, 2011

Debt collection bills would contract out hundreds of state employee jobs.

No hearings have been scheduled yet on two bills introduced last week that would ship collection of all debts more than 90 days past due to private collection agencies.

Both Senate Bill 5284 and House Bill 1374 have language on displaced employee. But in the end it’s a privatization bill that targets state employees in a number of agencies responsible for collecting debts, like support enforcement officers overseeing child support payments.

SB 5284 is sponsored by Sen. Steve Hobbs of the 44th District. HB 1374 is sponsored by Rep. Christopher Hurst of the 31st District.

While no hearings have been set, it’s never too early to voice your opposition. Call the Legislature’s toll-free message center at 1-800-562-6000 and tell your legislators to oppose SB 5284 and HB 1374.